Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) by Cynthia Luhrs Page B

sounded on the door. Ian had brought chocolate brownies and lemonade.
    “We’ll be docking in an hour, Cap.”
    “Much appreciated, lad.”
    Instead of pouring her more tea, he served them, making sure to put two of the chocolaty goodies on her plate. Yep, she was watching him like a hawk.
    “Don’t worry, you can have more.”
    “Sorry. It’s been so long since I’ve had food like this.” A crumb caught in the corner of her lip when she took a bite of the brownie. Before he realized what he was doing, he reached over and wiped it away with his thumb. Green eyes dilated and stared up at him. She was frozen in time; the moment seemed to expand, no past, no present, only now. His body leaned in, meeting her in the briefest kiss before she pulled back looking interested yet distressed. Idiot. Here she’s ailing and you try and snog her. Nice. “There was something on your face. It’s gone now.” Lame. So lame. He mentally scolded himself.
    “Um, Anyway, I’d been out spotting for them. I didn’t see anyone but there was trouble at the club and I was blamed. Getting ready for bed, I heard Bruce talking. They said I’d been lying to them or my ability had worn off…that I was no longer useful and I’d be killed in the morning.”
    Robert handed her another brownie and refilled her glass of lemonade, staying silent to encourage her to keep talking.
    “I realized they meant to kill me. Escape was my only option. I ran into Ned. I knew him from before when I’d stayed at a hostel he worked for. That’s how I found out about the tunnels. Guess I didn’t realize the sewage would be quite so awful.” A corner of her mouth lifted in what for her would be a full-on belly laugh for anyone else.
    “Indeed. I’m afraid you did rather reek. Though it was brilliant to use the tunnels to escape.” He hid his anger at her captors. Would only scare Maggie to show it. But he’d take care of each and every one; especially the one who’d betrayed her. Thorne needed to be informed along with the others.
    “And that’s where I found you, being hanged. Of course I didn’t know it was you until I freed you and you introduced yourself.”
    “I imagine I gave you rather a fright. I’m sorry. I was perplexed as to why you’d run away after risking yourself to help me?”
    Fidgeting in the chair, she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “You’re legend.”
    He wanted to know more. Legend . But Maggie had run out of steam and fallen asleep in her chair, the teacup sliding off her lap. Catching it, he set it on the sideboard and carried her to bed kissing her on the forehead. Summoning Ian, he gave orders to drop anchor in the harbor and spend the night. Would be safer. They’d dock in the morning.
    Instinct made him reach for the coverlet to climb in beside her and hold her tight…but she’d be terrified if she woke and found him there. Instead, he made himself as comfortable as possible in the bloody chair…again.

Chapter 14

     
     
    After finishing off two kegs of beer, Fury was ready to get this party started. The look on faces of Solien’s men when he popped in was priceless. He knew what was said about him. The hound was mythical. Midnight black with three heads. Came from one of the deep circles of the Nether realm; loved to tear humans, Walkers, and other creatures to pieces, playing with them before devouring them, preferably with some type of tasty sauce. They said in hushed whispers that the beast had the power to keep you alive so you knew you were being consumed. Worse, the monster actually talked.
    All true though he was insulted the puny little humans couldn’t wrap their heads around the fact he conversed. What, the three heads didn’t bother them, but the talking did? Made him want to tell Dayne to go screw himself, fuck their bargain and amble over to Africa where they worshipped him properly, as a god. Well, demi-god was the correct term, but who cared?
    Bruce wanted his men to crawl through the tunnels,